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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
Clean up from 2011 where thousands of trees fell during violent storms. Trails were cleared over two major clean-up weekends and over one hundred volunteers. Photo from the OF4WD archive
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
OF4WD’s Brian Sibbles leading off the trail ride. Photo by Corrie Hynes KATVA
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
KATVA, TMSC and OF4WD members all having a great time at the TMSC club house. Photo by Kim Sibbles, OF4WD
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
ATV’s and 4WD’s hitting the trails. Photo by Corrie Hynes, KATVA
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
GoRiding Magazine and TV, Mark Hamerton conducting interviews with riders to capture the day and experiences. Photo by Kim Sibbles OF4WD
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
Kawartha Kinsmen Volunteer, Left, and KATVA VP Carolyn Richards, Center, and OF4WD Executive Director Brian Sibbles present over 35 toys and $1045 in cash for the 2013 Kinsmen toy drive. Photo by Corrie Hynes KATVA
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
Lunch is served. Photo by Kim Sibbles OF4WD
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
KATVA rider and OF4WD’s Director Chris Miles getting ready to hit the trails. Photo by Corrie Hynes KATVA
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Photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD & Corrie Lee Photography
Big Toys for Kids Toys
An awesome lunch spread put on by KATVA volunteers. Photo by Corrie Hynes KATVA
Story by Brian Sibbles, OF4WD, photos courtesy of Kim Sibbles, OF4WD and Corrie Lee Photography
Trail riding throughout Ontario is without a doubt booming on all fronts. Whether you ride an ATV, Dirt Bike, 4WD or a Snowmobile, the sport of trail riding has something for everyone and is a great way to spend a weekend or an evening with family and friends. The question is, can we be friends and co-exist on the same trails with people who ride a different machine from ourselves? The answer is ABSOLUTELY!!!!
The Five Points Trail System outside of Bobcaygeon, Ontario is a prime example where riders all work together for a common goal of a superior trail system. It was only three years ago that all the organizations appeared to work separately from each other, butting heads from time to time and working in different directions. After a huge decimating storm in 2011 it was very apparent that not one organization could cope with such a disaster and that something had to change if we were ever going to get our trails back up and running. Through well executed team work between Kawartha ATV Association (KATVA), Twin Mountain Snowmobile Club (TMSC), Halliburton ATV Association (HATVA) and the Ontario Federation of 4 Wheel Drive (OF4WD) the trail system was placed back in service after two weekends of hard work. An astonishing effort to say the least.
Realizing the amazing work completed by the groups and the efficiency of working together, we are enjoying the fruits of our labour today with consistent and open communication. Through annual meetings and frequent emails during the year, maintenance issues are dealt with swiftly allowing all the riders to enjoy the trails to their full potential.
Over the years the organizations, members have gotten to know one another fairly well and the idea was brought fourth to organize a joint ride where everyone could come and ride together regardless of vehicle. On September 7th 2013 the first ever, to our knowledge, joint ride event took place where members from around the province joined in for a single day of trail riding in support of the Kawartha Kinsmen Toy Drive.
Arriving at 8:30 a.m. to the TMSC club house the participants gathered side by side with cash and toy donations in hand. After a short introduction and welcome message, everyone broke off into smaller groups mixed with ATV’s and 4WD’s and headed out onto the trails for an excellent day of off-roading despite the shoddy weather. Watching the ATV’s and 4WD’s traverse the trail it was incredible to see the differences and the similarities all at the same time. Smiles on everyone’s faces and some friendly banter between who had the more comfortable ride and who was tougher than the other, the groups made their way back to the club house.
Dismounting their vehicles after a short day of riding the air was filled with the aroma of BBQ sausage and chicken cooking away by the KATVA volunteers. Oh Boy, this is gonna be good!!! Assembling around the KATVA trailer and TMSC clubhouse the participants shared stories of the day laughing and kidding around. Martin and Mark from GoRiding magazine and TV were on hand through-out the trail ride and conducted video interviews with organizers and participants to capture the day’s events. Carolyn Richards, KATVA VP, and Brian Sibbles, Exec. Dir. OF4WD, said a few words in thanks for attending and presented the Kawartha Kinsmen Club with over 35 different Toy items and $1045.00 in cash. Absolutely beyond anyone’s expectations, the donation was over the top and shows the true generosity of the organizations members.
Lunch was served following the presentation and despite there being over 85 people around the silence was deafening as people chowed down on an excellent spread put out by KATVA. As the stomachs moaned and groaned in happiness people carried on conversing and eventually one by the one the TMSC yard emptied out completing the day of joint riding.
So, I’ll leave you with this question once again. Can we co-exist on the trails and be friends and buddies regardless of what we ride? Stay tuned to any of the organizations websites for next year’s dates and join us in the fun of our great sports.